ALBB's City Council Meeting Agenda + Video Pages Are BACK! Thanks To Partnership With Jeremy Belcher of Robot Heart

Wish for it, and it will come.

For years, A Little Beacon Blog republished the City of Beacon’s Agendas for City Council Meetings, Planning Board Meetings, and Zoning Board Meetings in a section called “Local Government Easy Access.” These pages were fully linked to Resolutions, Public Hearings, Hirings, Proclamations, and everything else to be discussed at that meeting, with the video embedded to keep everything in one place. With an easier, more gracious Search box.

Over the course of those years, ALBB has had two different employees who did this arduous work (the City’s agendas are very wonky and hard to copy/paste from), but when ALBB had to scale back to just one employee, this very important task was abandoned.

Recently, a reader sent us a link to News In Town, a website that provided recaps of City meetings. The reader asked ALBB if News In Town was AI. The News In Town website produced recaps of all of these meetings and linked externally to the Agendas. The Recaps, however, weren’t bad. In that, they were accurate when measured against full meetings ALBB had watched and reported on.

While it definitely seemed AI, ALBB dug around and found the man behind the robot. Robot Heart is the AI behind the regeneration of these agendas - and the design - built by Jeremy Belcher, who lives part time in Beacon. Jeremy is a self-described designer of custom software and apps for businesses without a technology team.

Katie of ALBB reached out to Jeremy to make sure he was a real person - and indeed he is! “I love A Little Beacon Blog,” he said in response. “I have been subscriber for years.” Jeremy said that he started News In Town because he wanted to see what was being built around town. “You know those renderings you see posted on the scaffolding of construction site projects in NYC?” he asked Katie, who also used to live in NYC. “Yes!” she answered. “Well I don’t see those posted on projects in Beacon,” Jeremy answered. “Exactly,” agreed Katie. Why.

Is it because they change, sometimes, with seemingly no oversight, or selective oversight? Who knows.

While Katie is not a fan of AI, she knows it has advantages when used responsibly - and not to kill people, like Planatir and Israel like to do.

Jeremy and Katie partnered to create an AI robot to collect the linked agendas from the City of Beacon’s website, and rewrite them in code for A Little Beacon Blog to publish here on our website, verbatim. This gives us easier search and link ability.

This use of AI has not cost anyone their job here at ALBB. Both Katie and her employees really dreaded doing it. Not doing it by hand allows Katie to continue researching, reporting, writing, creating advertiser campaigns, and packaging that all up to deliver to you in socials, newsletter and articles. One day we’ll be able to hire someone again. That’s the next wish.

If Katie has watched any of the City government meetings in full, and has cross-checked them against News In Town’s AI generated Recap, she will link up ALBB’s Agenda page to those succinct Recaps. Katie will continue recording her Gold Nugget Recap videos for our audio/video listeners, and produce originally written articles from the Agenda. You know how ALBB likes a Deep Dive.

Hiring Katie and/or Jeremy For Your Digital Project

Katie has been a website designer and producer for over 20 years. It’s the behind the scenes work that most readers of ALBB don’t know that she did or does. You can learn more about her collaborative projects at Katie James, Inc. In those years, Katie has worked with a select number of highly skilled developers to build clients what they want, writing custom code and working with drag-n-drop platform solutions.

Katie is very picky about who she works with. Jeremy is the third developer she has partnered with, and looks forward to seeing what new projects come out of their collaboration.

Reach out to Katie if you need a website, app, or print project designed for you.

VIDEO: Making The Chai Latte (For ALBB's Trolls Who Don't Like Palestinian News But Demand Chai)

When A Little Beacon Blog covers world, national or uncomfortable news, ALBB’s toughest Trolls (like this one from Carmel) insist that we blog about chai lattes. To deliver this demand, ALBB went to Beacon Bread Company to show our readers not only the delicious chai latte, but how they make it. @beaconbreadcompany

After this video published, a reader of A Little Beacon Blog went and got themselves a fresh, hot cup of Chai from Beacon Bread Company.
Donate Here if you like ALBB’s news.

Guiding us through is Lena Jamal, wife of Kamel Jamal. They own Beacon Bread, and their daughter Amani filmed and edited this video. ☕️🎥 @amanijamalphoto

After watching this chai journey, you may see that smooth, frothy cup of chai in a whole new way. Can you smell the chai now? Go to Beacon Bread to get yourself a fresh cup. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Get there before the late afternoon if you want Lena’s famous Babka cookies.

Beacon Bread is a Member of A Little Beacon’s Business Blog Squad in the Restaurant Guide. 🌟

Located at 193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY. Open daily.

Kids Halloween Parade Through Beacon Farmer's Market; The Schedule Of Activities

Sunday’s Halloween Opportunities at the Beacon Farmer’s Market.

Here’s the Schedule:

👻 KIDS’ HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE
Gather at the Manager’s Tent at 11:30 AM in costume. Kids (and their superhero guardians) will follow Helen from Common Ground Farm on a festive stroll through the market while vendors cheer them on.

🎶 SPOOKY TUNES + DANCING
DJ Stephen will be spinning from 11:30-12:30.

SURPRISE
Something is happening at high noon but they won’t say what…! 🕛

🎭 VENDOR COSTUME CONTEST
Farmers and makers are dressing up, and YOU get to choose the winner! Vote for your favorite at the Manager’s Tent. The prize? One FREE Sunday of market rent for the Vendor.

🎨 PUMPKIN PATCH IN PROGRESS!
Everyone can grab sidewalk chalk in front of the Live Music Tent and help grow a colorful pumpkin patch. No carving required!

🍬 TRICK OR TREAT!
Halloween candy for the kiddos at the Manager’s Tent and all around.

💚 TEENY GREENYS!
Kids can pick up $4 in FREE market currency to spend on fresh, locally grown food, thanks to Hudson Valley Credit Union.

🎃 PUMPKIN EVERYTHING (AND THEN SOME)
Pumpkin spice goat cheese, chai-spiced kombucha, Autumn Blend sangria, Midnight Matcha, spooky sweets, freshly baked treats, pumpkins of every persuasion, and all the glorious flavors of fall!

📍 BEACON FARMERS’ MARKET
Sunday, October 25 | 10 AM–2 PM
223 Main Street, Beacon

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Kids Halloween Hunt and Parade On Beacon's Main Street On Saturday

This is a photo of the grocery store Beacon Natural’s front door (348 Main Street), directing kids to go inside to the Snack isle to find the Black Cat to add to their passport to help them qualify for a prize.

The annual Hocus Pocus Halloween Parade is on full schedule and view this Saturday. The initiative is one to give exposure to businesses on the full mile of Main Street while giving kids another reason to dress up and collect candy. But with this initiative, the kids and caregivers are guided to go inside to stores which have an orange pumpkin on them to find the black cat inside. It’s a way to give exposure to the businesses if one hasn’t stepped inside yet. This is your chance to experience businesses in ALBB’s Restaurant, Shopping, Beauty and Classes Guides.

There are 3 parts to this day:

Main Street Trick or Treating and Black Cat Scavenger Hunt

Front door of the hair salon Sant de la Rosa Aveda Salon (532 Main Street) for the Hocus Pocus Candy Hunt.

11am-6pm
Each business with an orange pumpkin in the window will have a black cat hidden in their store. Kids need to find the black cat and get their “passport” stamped. Passports can be picked up at any participating stores during normal business hours while supplies last.

Kids can win a grab-bag prize for every 15 stamps collected. Locations to pick up the grab-bags are at Gate House Team at Compass (490 Main Street), Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hudson Valley Properties (226 Main Street), or Corcoran Country Living (215 Main Street).

Hocus Pocus Parade

3pm-3:30pm
Parade lineup at 2:30pm at Polhill Park (next to Bank Square Coffee, across from Beacon Creamery Ice Cream). Parade route goes from there to Veterans Place (Towne Crier Cafe and Post Office)

First Responders Trunk or Treat

3pm (continuing until the candy runs out)
Meanwhile, Police are out posting new No Parking signs for presumably another film shoot for The Four Seasons down on the east of of Main Street, across from Carter’s Restaurant.

Family-Friendly Halloween Celebration At Happy Valley

12pm-7pm
4:15pm Costume Contest Arrival
Arrive at Happy Valley (296 Main Street) by 4:15pm to be considered for the costume contest for prizes.
Costume Categories:
Best Family or Group costume
Best costume for Kids 0-12 years old
Best costume for Teens 13-17

Makeup Artists In ALBB's Business Directory

Filming in Beacon means the professional makeup artists are here! Locally, there are makeup artists who live in Beacon and can be hired by you for your own wedding, homecoming, special Halloween event, and more. Find them in A Little Beacon Blog’s Business Directory.

Jules Waldkotter, owner of The Luminous Bride, is based right here in Beacon in her studio around the corner from Lores Cafe inside of the hair salon Sullivan & Main.

Makeup Artist Jenny Magliano has worked on local films here with film producer Rachael Handler and local actors like Twinkle Burke. Read about a short film they collaborated on here.

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Start your business listing and membership today in ALBB’s Business Directory at any level.

Beacon Movie Trivia: The Four Seasons Crew Camps Outside Miz Hattie's House - Queen Of Beacon BBQ

A Little Beacon Blog wonders if the 🎬 Craft Service table (aka snacks for crew and actors) set up with the Haddad film trucks for the 3rd season of Netflix’s The Four Seasons realize that they are positioned in front of the house of Beacon’s BBQ Queen 👸🏽 Miz Hattie Hess.

She has a long legacy of catering in many capacities, and then setting up shop in the Hudson Valley Food Hall for a couple years before she semi-retired (she’ll never retire). Around the corner from her house is her garage which she had converted into a commercial kitchen years ago. Her smoker sits parked outside.

Sometimes ALBB joins Miz Hattie for birdwatching and a grape San Pellegrino.

This has been your Beacon Movie Trivia Moment In The Making.

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VIDEO: 2 Sightings Of The Headless Horseman In Beacon For Filming Of The Four Seasons

The celebrity sightings of cast of the 3rd season of The Four Seasons are trickling in. Turns out, they are just like us. Tina Fey shops at Key Food and checks out in the checkout line just like a regular person. Another actor goes to the gym and works out with other people at one of the gyms - and is not selfie-shy with locals.

These Four Seasons celebrities also ride around Beacon in horse-drawn carriages driven by the Headless Horseman. The big production down Main Street on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026, was the driving of the Headless Horseman carriage down the east end of Main Street multiple times.

A rig pulled them while they were mounted to a trailer, that mosh pit and motorcycle enthusiast @beastiebunny captured on video. They also were pulled by two horses, that fashion photographer Jeremy Smith @j.remy.photo captured from his apartment and shared with ALBB readers.

Next, video footage came in of the Headless Horseman in Beacon’s back roads. This was on Willow Street, behind the M+T Bank.

Said the reader who submitted this video to ALBB: “I heard the clippety-clop of the horses hooves, which is unusual for these parts, though we have had deer and coyote run down this street, but I had just seen the horse-drawn carriage on Main Street for the filming on A Little Beacon Blog that @j.remy.photo shared, so I ran to the door and by golly there was the Headless Horseman carriage with maybe Tina Fey, Coleman Domingo and other actors. I don’t know if they were filming, but they went around at least twice.

“Little kids on our street were so excited. The Beacon Police have been stationed here all day and have been so good with directing traffic. Usually we see people get stuck at that intersection, not knowing who should go first. Interesting that it was horses this time. I only had one issue with someone dashing to park halfway in front of my driveway, but I got my parking cones out that I keep stashed behind my front porch for such extreme cases such as this, and positioned them on either side of my driveway. I didn’t have any problems after that. What an exciting sight!”

The Four Seasons is scheduled to film in other parts of Beacon soon for their 3rd season. Stay tuned!

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VIDEO: ALBB's City Council Meeting Recap For 9/21/2026: Hotel Lobbies and Fishkill Creek Development

This is the short video for the City Council Meeting Recap for 9/21/2026.

There is now an official Barbara Sims Day (of BJs Soul Food) Proclamation. It will be every September 27th.

🍩☕️🚗 ALBB weaved in the Dunkin Donuts Drive-Thru Debate from last year as they discussed legislating hotels in the Fishkill corridor to make hotels more possible (and without lobbies or employees!), so be sure to listen till the end. The part that escaped me in the video was:

- Councilperson Zach pointed out that with Short Term Rentals, the Council required the homeowner to be accessible and possibly on site. But are OK with no employees being at the hotel as a contact person/manager/hotel lobby greeter.

- Councilperson Amber was Ok with no lobbies and contactless checkin, but wanted to ban Storage Units because they did not offer enough employment if there was a tele-manager on a TV screen at a storage unit.

- Travel. If this area is being redesigned as a travel destination for tourists to park themselves, why did City Council ban drive-thrus when Healey family developers wanted to open the Dunkin Donuts with a drive-thru? Seems hypocritical. And possibly developer focused on how they are zoning.

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Saigon Pho Beacon Temporarily Closes; Thanks Community For Feedback And Support For Stronger Reopening

One month after opening in September that ALBB reported, Saigon Pho Beacon, located in the former BJ’s Soul Food spot at 213 Main Street, has closed temporarily. While they were hiring part time staff, a notice has appeared on the door, explaining their closure. It reads:

Dear Valued Customers and Community,

Saigon Pho Beacon will be temporarily closed following our soft opening as we improve our food, service, menu, and operations.

We appreciate your feedback and support and are committed to preparing for a stronger reopening.

We do not currently have a confirmed reopening date. Updates will be shared when available.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Saigon Pho Beacon Management Team

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While people have expressed enjoying the food at Saigon Pho Beacon, and their staff seemed friendly and accommodating, their broths were beef broths only, with no vegetarian options. ALBB has not confirmed if this was the reason for the temporary closure (they do not have a phone for their Beacon location and the Cornwall location usually doesn’t answer), but their beef broth will be missed by those who do eat that variety.

Said one reader, @jtbreda via ALBB’s Instagram: “Have been loving Saigon Pho - hopefully they are back with an even bigger menu soon!”

@jtbreda also let readers know, in replying to @shanethestallion’s expressed wish for vegan options “I wanted to eat there so bad but my friends told me they didn't have any vegetarian options. I hope they add one because I will HAPPILY give them my money. I heard such amazing things!” @jtbreda said that Saigon Pho Beacon began serving some vegan options two weeks ago, saying: “They added the vegetable tofu pho about two weeks ago as well as veggie dumplings”

@seafffoam agreed: “Their vegan pho is phenommmm!”

Another reader, @crystalriver_ismyname, said via ALBB’s Instagram: “Opening a food business is always a little bumpy at first. Taking a moment to breathe and assess is really smart. Sending so much luck and support.”

Said reader @standardtuning: “Went there 2 weeks ago on a Saturday. Food was good but the place was SLAMMED. They were not prepared for the fall crowds. The 2 people working the front were absolute super heroes the way they handled themselves and the rush, but they definitely needed more front of house staff. I’m hoping ownership figures it out, lots of potential there!”

To be continued!

Prettiest No Parking Signs: The Four Seasons FIlms Pumpkin Halloween Scene On Beacon's Main Street

Last week, new orange No Parking signs went up on the west end of Main Street, stating that there was No Parking from Monday-Tuesday, October 19th-20th from 8pm-7pm (yes, the signs read pm-pm). By Sunday evening, a few businesses and individuals reached out to A Little Beacon Blog asking for the reason for the No Parking. One business wondered if they should even be open. If it was going to be a film production, there might be no foot traffic if the sidewalk and road were blocked for filming. But if it was for something different, then foot traffic may not be impacted.

Monday morning first thing, ALBB emailed City Administrator Ben Swanson to ask for the reason of the No Parking, but received no response. Nothing was posted to the City of Beacon’s website page or the Police page with information. By 5:30pm, the City of Beacon posted a message: “The City of Beacon will be hosting a film production on Tuesday, October 20th, along Main Street between Cross Street and Digger Phelps Court.” They went into more detail, which has been republished below.

For reference, Cross Street is near Hudson Beacon Glass, and Digger Phelps Court is just past M+T Bank. In between are stores like Beetle and Fred, Gather, Flora Good Times, Beacon Bread Company, and others.

According to people familiar with the situation, the film production is the 3rd season of the Netflix production The Four Seasons, starring Tina Fey, Will Forte, and Colman Domingo. On Monday, members of the crew were decorating parts of Main Street with harvest corn husks, gorgeous pumpkins, small-town feel banners in orange, and in some cases, skeletons. Walking down Main Street felt in quite festive.

But will stores be open inside of the No Parking film zone? Not sure. Location coordinators have been in touch with some businesses, according to sources, but ALBB has not confirmed if any businesses are being compensated by the film production; if businesses will be negatively financially impacted by the filming; or if storefront signage will be in the scene that businesses can leverage later for their marketing.

The Four Seasons has filmed in Beacon before. There was a casting call for extras from Beacon and Newburgh as of a few days ago, and filming has happened in Newburgh according to City News. The inconvenience of a film production can be felt by many, but the benefit can also be felt by aspiring filmmakers, art department hopefuls, and retail businesses and the City at large who do wish for cameos in a show or film to be part of their legacy.

Parking Restrictions From the City of Beacon And Loop Reroute

From the City of Beacon, as per their Facebook page:

“Police signage for parking restrictions has been posted along that corridor, as well as on impacted side streets during the hours of production.

“Sidewalks and the roadway itself will have intermittent closures, so there may be some delay if you are driving or walking in the area. City Police will be on site to allow vehicles through, as able.

“Loop Bus service will continue as normal but may briefly reroute to avoid any intermittent closures in the evening hours.

“Parking, bus service, and sidewalk/road use will resume as normal beginning at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow evening, and for the remainder of the week. Thank you.”

Historic Spanish Tabernacle Church of Christ Fundraising For Major Restoration (Steeple, Roof, Bricks)

The Spanish Tabernacle Church of Christ was established on June 25, 1963. Four years later in 1967, the Congregation purchased its current Church building at 483 Main Street, next to the Howland Cultural Center. The City of Beacon dedicated a Greenway Trail marker to it, identifying it as the “Spanish Pentacostal Church: Built in 1869 as the 1st Methodist church on the former site of St. Anna’s Episcopal Church.”

This Church building was built in a pivotal time when the railroad expanded. Historian Bob Murphy reported in the Beacon Historical Society’s January 2008 newsletter that when this church was built in 1869, “Matteawan' s Main Street…was just emerging: the Howland Library, the Methodist Church, the train station were all newly built within a year or two of each other.”

Now in 2026, the church’s crumbling brick facade and falling slate shingles can no longer be ignored. While the Church has been given an estimate of $1 million dollars for a top to bottom renovation, they have settled on 4 areas to focus on for $500,000, The Tabernacle Church of Christ’s Congregation owns the building - the Church itself owns the building. A Board of Trustees runs it, and Pastor Nelson is the head of the Board of Trustees. They have been holding BBQ fundraisers to raise the money required to take on four major renovation projects for the following areas of the Church (pictures are below for each):

• Steeple: Falling slate shingles. The slate is so old that it does not exist anymore. A material has been recommended by a potential contractor who could execute the restoration work. From the steeple, water damage is seeping into the Church’s media center balcony above the pews.

• Roof: Along with the steeple, the roof would be replaced in this phase.

• Fascia, Trim and Moulding: These details are damaged, rotted and missing.

• Brickwork and Exterior Paint: The exterior paint is peeling with damaged brick underneath.

Pastor Nelson Burgos Jr. has been the leader of this bilingual church for almost four years. Having heard his calling after having his first child at the age of 17. He is committed to restoring the church, which has visible water damage from inside over the lively and live music-centered congregation. Sunday school rooms are downstairs, adjoining a beautiful kitchen renovation made earlier.

All are welcome to come in to worship on Sundays. “We have a mix of Hispanic..majority is Hispanic with some South and Central American families who come and visit,” Pastor Nelson told ALBB. “Mixed cultures with our congregation, including African American and Caucasian. Once you are here, we don't see culture, we see family. We accept everyone.”

Prayers From The Red Prayer Box

Pastor Nelson takes us inside the Church to see where the prayers are placed that are collected from the red prayer box out on the Church’s front lawn. "We have a group of brothers and sisters who come every Saturday to pray." The prayers are pinned to a board, and then placed in a cardbox for followup. The most rewarding, Pastor Nelson says, is when they receive followups from the prayers from those who are praying for healing, for jobs, for families, and more.

Historic Designation - Does Not Have

The building does not have a historic designation, which is surprising since it carries a deep history to the architectural and cultural shaping of what was to become the City of Beacon. In 2020, Mayor Kyriacou wanted to designate 35 homes and buildings as historic, but the Tabernacle Church of Christ at 483 Main Street was not one of them. However, the Salvation Army’s Church and the Beacon Hebrew Alliance were both on that list.

Previously, the St. Anne’s Church that was located in this spot was torn down to become the Matteawan Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church in 1869. Both of those churches were negatively impacted by the expanding railroad at the time. St. Anne’s church was forced to move, according to Beacon Revisited (read more below).

Currently in 2026, the Tabernacle Church of Christ faces a challenge with the Rail Trail, where the Church will lose their current parking lot to the Rail Trail. The parking lot has been crucial for their senior citizens and families to use. But Pastor Nelson has been unsuccessful with the City of Beacon and New York State agencies in trying to secure an exemption for their parking lot to keep full use of it. That story is for a subsequent article here at ALBB for more exploration.

Tour Inside Of The Church And Bell Tower

For this interview, Pastor Nelson and his son take A Little Beacon Blog all over the Church, including up to the bell tower to ring the worship bell. The bell is located in the steeple, and the room holding access to the pull-rope is not glorious. “We use the Bell Room as storage. We don't use the Bell Room as anything else but storage,” Pastor Nelson told ALBB, since it too has damage.

For the heavenly sound the comes out of the bell housed in the steeple, the room’s condition represents the entire church that is trying to get out the clear message of faith while the walls deteriorate.

Donors can donate online through the Church’s Tithe.ly account, or contact Pastor Nelson directly via email: pastornelsontoc@gmail.com

Below in this article is a brief history of the Church starting in 1869.

The History Of This Church Since 1869 - Courtesy The Beacon Historical Society

The Beacon Historical Society has provided several items to track the history of this building. Those have been expanded upon below.

Methodist Church (now the Spanish Tabernacle Church of Christ) next to the Circulating Library (now the Howland Cultural Center).
Photo courtesy of the Beacon Historical Society.

Historical Background Of What Is Now The Tabernacle Church Of Christ

In 1944, a "Historical Sketch" was published in a pamphlet that was produced with finical sponsorship of businesses and individuals (read pages below). The Beacon Historical Society has obtained that 1944 pamphlet that traces the church building's history from 1842 when the first Methodist Society was formed in Beacon (then known as Matteawan and Fishkill Landing). That Society faced differences and split.

The Mattaewan Society then built the Matteawan Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church in 1869, which was the First Methodist Church in Beacon, New York. "It was in the year 1842 that the first Methodist Society was formed in Beacon (then Matteawan and Fishkill Landing) and it was in 1869 that the present Church edifice of the Matteawan Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church (First Methodist Church of Beacon, New York [in 1944]) was built."

According to the 1944 pamphlet: "The Matteawan Society purchased a lot near St. Anna's Episcopal Church, the present N. Y. N. H. & H. Railroad Station." But they "could not occupy the church for many years for it was in the path of the proposed Dutchess and Columbia Railroad, now New Haven Railroad, and was sold to them in 1869 for $12,000 during the pastorate of Reverend Oscar Haviland."

Then, the Matteawan Society purchased St. Anna's Episcopal Church (now the Tabernacle Church of Christ) and tore that church down. The price paid for that lot was $5,000 in May, 1869. The Beacon Historical Society also provided to A Little Beacon Blog this passage from page 391 of Bob Murphy's Memory Keeper book about that development, where it is mentioned that the church by the train station is the one that was razed, which was rebuilt to be the Methodist Church, and is now the Tabernacle Church of Christ.

Also on page 71 of Beacon Revisited, the Beacon Historical Society says that "St. Anna's was razed to build the Methodist Church (now Tabernacle of Christ). The Methodist Church bought old St. Anna's, who had moved to the current St. Lukes after the railroad expansion forced St. Anna's to find new home."

According to the 1944 pamphlet, the architect of the Methodist Church that is now Tabernacle Church of Christ was J.D. Kelley. "Construction of the beautiful Gothic brick edifice, which is so conspicuous an adornment of our City, was completed and dedicated 1869-70 under the pastorate of the Reverend O. Haviland. The work on the church was done under the supervision of Edward Kelley as builder, J. D. Kelley as architect, Harris & VanBuren as painters and Benjamin Hall as carpenter. The church is 76 feet 8 inches long, 42 feet wide. At the transepts the building is 53 feed wide. The spire rises 114 feet 9 inches from the first floor level to the summit"

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The pamphlet continued to give more financial details: "The new church, including site, cost $42.000. It was dedicated May 7, 1870. The dedication sermon was preached by The Reverend O. H. Tiffany. D. D. of Newark, New Jersey. The deed is dated September 17, 1870. The first sermon ever preached in the Matteawan M. E. Church was by Bishop Jones."

Methodist Church, now the Tabernacle Church of Christ.
Photo courtesy of the Beacon Historical Society.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

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The Padre Pio Shrine In Beacon: Lifelong Resident Charlotte Haug Is Its Keeper

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Padre Pio Shrine in Beacon, as created and maintained by Charlotte Haug.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

🌹This is Charlotte Haug. She is the keeper of the Padre Pio Shrine here in Beacon. She is also the keeper of a lot of history in Beacon, as her grandfather and father built several of the older buildings still standing in Beacon. She tells A Little Beacon Blog: “My grandfather Jimmy Lynch built most of those beautiful buildings, and magnificent houses, yes with my father Chuck.”

Charlotte was a hair dresser, and could be a stand-in for Paul Newman’s wife, Joanne Woodward. Paul Newman starred in the movie Nobody’s Fool, filmed in Beacon. If you want updates on celebrity sightings in Beacon, Charlotte most likely has your inside information.

Charlotte has overcome cancer, and even being hit by a car in a gas station parking lot here in Beacon. “I beat cancer twice,” she told ALBB. “I am a third time survivor, with the car accident, talk about miracles.” She is an incredible person. Very enthusiastic and loving. She lives for connecting people to Padre Pio to improve their lives. 🌹

Charlotte wants readers of A Little Beacon Blog to know that “miracles are still happening.” She says: “I am thrilled that we have such a special place where our visitors can go to anytime, day or night. The dogs love Padre’s shrine so much too, and have also had miracles.”

Charlotte Haug, discussing her Padre Pio Shrine.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

These roses here at the Sha’s Mobile gas station are in full bloom in a deep pink. “Padre grew them,” Charlotte told ALBB. There are little figures of Jesus also on the bricks that make up the shrine that were placed there with her permission by a local person who sells them inside of the gas station. The American flag is Sha’s.

The shrine is an organic effort of Charlotte’s, and she encourages people to go near it if and when they need comfort. “Padre’s radiant red new roses are blooming and so beautiful.” 🌹

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Thursday Nights In Beacon Got Even Better - 10% Off Store-Wide At Key Food From 4pm-8pm

Thursday evenings in Beacon are lively. Exciting. A cusp between the work-week and the weekend. One can feel the excitement while walking out on the sidewalks and seeing the warm glow from inside the restaurants (hopefully) full as the daylight gets shorter, preparing us for winter.

Key Food added to Thursday’s flavor with 10% off store-wide from 4pm-8pm. Key Food confirmed to A Little Beacon Blog: “No matter what the bill is, it’s 10% off.” That means 10% off anything, from candles to Epson bath salts to packing tape to frozen or box mac ‘n cheese or brownie mix or fresh salmon cuts or produce. This is on top of whatever sales are running on specific items (read those sales tags to see exactly which size of cereal box is in the offering).

Key Food offers 5% off every day to Veterans, and 5% off to Senior Citizens on Wednesdays. On this new 10% off from 4pm-8pm Thursdays, the 5% off for Veterans is paused so that the full 10% store-wide sale applies to all.

If you experience issues, Key Food tells ALBB: “Keep the bill. Mo or JB will take care of it.”

Pumpkin Festival This Sunday, October 18th From Beacon Sloop

Beacon Free PRess feature of the Pumpkin Festival.

The Beacon Sloop Club’s Annual Pumpkin Festival is this Sunday, October 18th from 12-5pm. Debuting will be the sloop Woody Guthrie, which is making its first public appearance since it was refurbished, the Beacon Sloop Club’s President Robert May told the Beacon Free Press. This will be in addition to the main attraction: the pumpkin pie, sliced by volunteers, as well as pumpkins for sale.

“Our Woody looks beautiful! It’s been freshly repainted and the interior partially rebuilt and newly varnished.” Attendees of the Pumpkin Festival are able to sign up for a free sale during the festival.

People can also expect new vendors, old vendor favorites, and once regular musicians returning to play on solar-powered stages, with one stage dedicated to children’s entertainment. Joyce Henson, member of the Beacon Sloop Club, told the paper: “We strive to provide attendees with a choice of free crafts, feature quality vendors, and promote environmental awareness.”

The all-volunteer group is dedicated to its strong environmental message. “We are dedicated to keeping as much single-use plastic out of our festival as possible,” Joyce told the paper. “To support this effort, we require all vendors to use compostable products.”

Free water will be available for refillable water bottles. The sale of beverages can only be made in compostable cups, glass bottles or cans.

A Little Beacon Blog will be one of several vendors participating to offer face painting experience.

100 Years of Beacon’s Dummy Light On View At The Howland Public Library

Artist Photo Credit: Sharon Zhang,  July 8 PM

The Beacon’s Dummy Light, 100 Years exhibition is on view at Howland Public Library now through November 1. This includes a collection of imagery from various multi-disciplinary artists, as well as middle-schoolers.

The Dummy Light is located at at the intersection of Main and East Main Streets, and is just one of three remaining dummy lights in New York State.

Ever wondered why it is called the “Dummy Light”? Come find out! The Beacon Historical Society has collaborated with the library on a companion mini-exhibition exploring the colorful history of the Dummy Light. Vintage photographs and interesting details will tell the story of the unusual traffic signal.

Artist Photo Credit: Polly Perkins, Mini Dummy

This exhibition brings together works by Hudson Valley artists celebrating and interpreting the Dummy Light as it marks its 100th anniversary. Through painting, drawing, collage, textiles, and mixed media, participating artists offer their own perspectives on a landmark that has become an enduring symbol of Beacon.

Also on view in the library’s Community Room is Cardboard Dreams, an exhibition from the local art education organization, Compass Arts, featuring work created by middle school campers. During the program, campers spent a week thinking about how cities work, what they love about Beacon, and what they would change if they could. The resulting installation features parts of their re-envisioned Main Street, displayed right on Main Street, including, of course, their own take on the Dummy Light.

Together, the exhibitions and reception offer a celebration of Beacon past, present, and imagined future, bringing together local art, history, music, and young people’s creative visions for their community.

Artist Photo Credit: Tena Cohen, Stop & Go

Artist Photo Credit: Brandon Fiege, Dummy Moon

Artist Photo Credit: Beacon’s Dummy Light: Anniversary Postcard Created by Erica Hauser